Debunking 10 Myths about Digital Telephony

The PSTN switch-off is set for December 2025, marking a nationwide shift to digital phone lines. We recognise that the transition can be daunting for some, given the familiarity of traditional landlines. If you’ve heard misconceptions about Digital telephony and feel hesitant about the switch, this article aims to dispel any doubts.

In this article, we are debunking 10 myths surrounding Digital telephony (VoIP), shedding light on its advantages and providing clarity on the transition process.
 
1) “Calls made over the internet aren’t as reliable as traditional landline calls”
While this perception may have been accurate in the early days of the internet, technology has rapidly evolved since then. Significant advancements in network connectivity have considerably improved the reliability of calls made over the Internet.
The quality of your call now primarily depends on the strength of your internet connection. The better your internet connection, the higher the call quality.

2) "VoIP isn’t as reliable. What if the cloud goes down?”
Digital telephony offers greater reliability compared to the PSTN. For instance, BT’s digital services operate across multiple data centres. If you happen to experience a disruption, traffic is seamlessly rerouted to another, ensuring uninterrupted service.

3) “I won’t have enough bandwidth for calls and data”
Calls don’t use as much bandwidth as you might think, particularly for businesses. When we provide you with Digital telephony, we work closely with you to understand your usage needs. This ensures that you have the appropriate internet connection and ample bandwidth to support both calls and data seamlessly.

4) “It all sounds too complicated and too technical for me”
Think of Digital telephony like a car; you don’t need to be a mechanic to drive one. Digital telephony is often easier to manage than traditional on-premises systems. If you choose one of our digital systems, we handle the setup and ensure you get familiarised with it.
Since it is entirely digital, all maintenance and updates happen remotely and promptly. There is no need to wait for a technician or physical upgrades. Plus, your system always stays up-to-date with the latest features.

5) “Swapping from my old phone system will be a huge job”
With the right planning, it can be very easy. We have a blog post going over how to prepare for the PSTN switch-off.
If you purchase Digital telephony through us, we will take care of installation, set-up, and ongoing management.
 
 
6) “If I swap to a Digital telephony, I’ll need a new number”
With Digital telephony, you have the option to retain your existing phone numbers if you wish. Transitioning presents an opportunity to review your contacts and assess whether you still require all of them.
One of the notable benefits of digital systems, unlike traditional landlines, is the ability to use the same number on multiple devices, wherever you are, as long as you have an internet connection.

7) “You can’t do as much with Digital telephony”
Digital telephony is incredibly versatile and can perform everything your traditional landline can do and more.

For businesses, Digital telephony presents a great number of opportunities. You can integrate your phone system with your business applications, enabling swift and efficient customer service. BT’s mobile app allows your mobile and laptop to function as extensions of your desk phone ensuring your office is wherever you are.
 
8) “It runs over the internet so it’s not safe”
The security of Digital telephony is as robust as you make it. By ensuring the security of your internal network through measures such as firewalls, encryption, authentication, and more, you can effectively safeguard your phone network. These security protocols are in place to protect both your calls and data. 
 
9) “It’s not for me, only big businesses”
Digital telephony works for everyone.
The flexibility and scalability offered by Digital telephony mean it is easy to use. Whether you are a sole user, a micro or small business, or a large organisation, there is a digital phone system for you.
 
10) “I have plenty of time to switch to Digital Telephony”
You may think that since the switch-off is happening in December of 2025, you have plenty of time to swap to VoIP, but this is not the case.

The ‘stop-sell’ of traditional landlines happened on the 5th of September 2023 meaning they can no longer be purchased, and the last-minute orders will begin to pile up as the shutdown approaches. The industry will not be able to keep up with the demand, and you may be at risk of losing your number forever. The sooner you swap to a virtual number, you will be able to keep your number and avoid the queue that comes with swapping to digital telephony later. 


If you have any more questions about Digital Telephony, or would like to upgrade now, get in touch with us and we will help you, alternitively, you can call us at 01244 344366.